"The Scream" Stolen

[abcrystcats]

Ahhh! Another art heist. This time, Edvard Munch's "The Scream" and "Madonna" were stolen from a museum in Oslo -- according to the article, they were just ripped off the wall by thugs with guns --

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5787000/

These European museums ought to be updating their security systems, don't you think?

What happens to these art treasures after they are stolen? The article relates another Munch painting stolen in 1994 where the thieves tried to hold the painting hostage in return for 1 million $$ A few years ago, Benvenuto Cellini's marvellous gold salt cellar displaying Neptune and Tellus (Gaia) was stolen from museum in Vienna. I don't believe it was ever recovered.Are rich collectors hiring thugs to acquire original artworks? God forbid some ignoramus melted this treasure down and sold it for the gold alone. The thought makes me nauseous.

"The Scream" is such a famous painting that it is impossible that it could be resold anywhere, even underground. "The Scream" is on t-shirts, coffee cups, baseball caps and posters. Even a child would recognize it. So ... where do you think it is bound for?

An even better question: do you think art is safer in museums, or in the hands of rich private collectors?

[mtmynd]

Yes, I had that article read to me this morning. It made me almost "Scream"!

We assumed after reading that, that Norway sounds like a nice place to live... not a whole lot of security... must be a nice atmosphere. I wonder...

I would like to see art that has achieved international recognition to be in museums... not for any particular reason, but the idea of sharing something like that with the public is a nice thing, IMHO. But the reality in which we live, the art always goes to the highest bidder, which has it's benefits, too. If I spent millions on a piece of art you can be assured that I would take care of it. To do otherwise would be stupid, ney?

[abcrystcats]

Mtmynd, I have it on personal authority that you can freeze your ICE off in Norway. They take their shirts off in the streets when it hits about 45 degrees Fahrenheit. That's a nice, hot summer day in Norway. I've also heard it's a great place to be if you like to drink and fuck because that's what they generally do to keep warm in the winter.

It's a socialist government, but because it's a small country it works pretty well.

As for the painting ... Gee, I'd like for these things to be on public view for everyone to appreciate too. When something this important gets ripped off, it feels almost like a child abduction. It may seem like a dumb question, but I STILL wanna know -- where did it go? Is this slated for some rich stinker's personal collection? I hope so, that would be the least of all the evils I could imagine. Is someone going to try to sell it on the black market? God forbid. Why do people steal these things in the first place? Because they can? It's not like stealing some money. This is a very high-profile masterpiece. You can't sell it easily unless you've already got the buyer lined up.

I wish some more people would respond. I'd sure like to understand the mindset of this type of criminal a little bit better ...

[Lightning Rod]

cat--

I must admit to a fascination with art theft and forgery.
One of my favorite books is Clifford Irving's "Fake!"
(I also thought that the Howard Hughes scam was brilliant)

My favorite TV program when I was a kid was The Rogues.

I guess it's just my criminal nature. Crime and Art are Siamese twins joined at the groin.

I guess people steal art for the same reason that they climb mountains....

[Southbound Snackyderm]

I heard the painting was headed for the Whitehouse, to serve as Bush's official portrait....

[judih]

i love that painting! wish i'd get a lead as to where to pick it up.

my brother has a blow-up sculpture of the scream and a scream pillow that screams when you lean on it (must have items - need to get items)

the one minute i get internet and NYtimes headlines e-mail in, why must i read about the Scream?

the ubiquitous answer to life's daily doses

j

[Doreen Peri]

that painting is my self portrait

i should post a picture of it on the self portrait thread

[abcrystcats]

I never personally identified with it, but the picture has incredible power and it's become a symbol not only for the age in which it was painted but for the age we live in now. It amazes me that it's become such an icon, and it has been commercially used for so many purposes.

Perhaps there is a certain irony in the fact that this particular pop icon has become a victim of the purposeless immorality so characteristic of this century.

I loved Snackderm's post! too good, too good

[e_dog]

the Scream was stolen long ago, when the silly movie Scream was made which used the image of the screaming face in the mask of its murderous character. stupid flick. good painting.

the thiefs might have tried to get a ransom or something. selling it would be too risky. maybe some fanatic wants it in his cellar. whether great art is stolen or bought legally, anytime it is not available for public viewing is a crime against culture. classics are the cultural property of the world's people, as long as they are on view publicly (and without charge or very nominal fee) then it don't matter whether the museum is public or privately owned provided it is stable. security then is a concern here. but property is not the main issue.